Kerr Triumphs Over Old Team

Former Harvard Coach Beats Crimson With Duke

September 6, 2008

DURHAM, N.C. – Against the team he coached for nine season, Duke coach John Kerr must have felt a little strange not celebrating after a goal from Michael Fucito.

John Kerr back when he was with Harvard.

Fucito, on the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list as one of the top players in the country, scored his first goal of the year against his old coach, but No. 20 Harvard fell to Duke, 3-1, in the Crimson’s season opener Friday evening at the Duke/Nike Classic.

In the first meeting between the Crimson and Kerr, who coached Harvard (0-1-0) for nine seasons, the Blue Devils managed two goals within 2:23 and held on for the victory.

After stealing the ball from Harvard goalkeeper Joseph Alexander, Duke’s Josh Bienenfield fired the ball into the net to give the Blue Devils the 1-0 lead at 19:51.

Less than three minutes later, Duke All-America forward Mike Grella knocked in a rebound off a volley, doubling the Crimson deficit. Grella finished with a game-high six shots.

At 34:48, senior Michael Giammanco moved the ball to Fucito who capitalized on the scoring chance and made it a one-goal game, 2-1.

Late in the contest, Duke (1-2-0) added an insurance tally when Kyle Bethel shot the ball into the right side of the goal from seven yards out. Ian Kalis was credited with an assist as the Blue Devils made it 3-1 at 81:32.

Harvard managed 11 shots, but only four on goal, as Duke goalkeeper Brendan Fitzgerald made three saves. Junior Joseph Alexander started the game for the Crimson, but after surrendering two goals on three shots, was pulled at halftime in favor of freshman Austin Harms. Harms, making his collegiate debut, allowed one goal and stopped one shot in 45:00.

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